Buying larger packages may not be cost-effective
By blueskies
@blueskies (1186)
United States
January 11, 2007 8:03am CST
I have noticed a trend recently. It seems that many retailers have caught on to customers' preference for larger sized packaging. On my most recent trip to Wal-Mart, I was surprised to find that both our favorite brand of dog food and the wal-mart brand of large ziploc bags were actually more expensive per unit for the larger package than the smaller one. When I first began grocery shopping, the common wisdom was to buy larger packages because it was cheaper per unit, and simply repack the product into smaller packages at home. The opposite is now true.
Besides the obvious thought that the retail giants are trying to pull a fast one on me, I'm also dismayed that they have chosen to do this because it will result in a overabundance of packaging materials being sent to the landfill. For instance, I purchased two smaller packages of the ziploc bags, versus one package---that's double the packaging that must now be recycled.
This new practice is not only bad for our pocketbooks, but bad for the environment.
15 people like this
44 responses
@SaraCate (184)
• Canada
11 Jan 07
I always check unit prices for precisely this reason. Just don't fall into the opposite trap - always assuming the smaller package is more cost-effective.
In addition, you may want to consider whether the difference in cost is worth the environmental cost to you. This would be espeically relevant in cases of products with particularly excessive amounts of packages and products where the price difference is marginal.
On antoher "product size" note, what do you think of companies using the *same-size* containers, but apcking them more lightly? E.g., a 16-oz. sized can of coffee may only contain 14.5 oz. now - even though it's the same dimensions! I guess it's another place where being aware of unit pricing is vital.
~Sara
3 people like this
@blueskies (1186)
• United States
11 Jan 07
That's another practice that has always bothered me. When my children were in diapers, I found myself having to purchase more and more packages of diapers each month as they gradually decreased the number of diapers in the packages. They kept the prices the same, of course.
I've also found this practice to be prevalent in feminie hygiene items, laundry soap, cereal and many other items.
I would much rather have the retailers raise the price than use these sneaky measures. It's just not honest, in my view.
2 people like this
@imnutz (288)
• United States
11 Jan 07
Some stores such as sams club are now putting a per unit price right on the tag so that you can compare, this is great. It saves the the headache of trying to do math and allows me to get the best deal I can. I wish more stores would start this practice.
@momto2 (471)
• United States
11 Jan 07
The price per unit is on the shelves of where I grocery shop too. It makes it nice and convenient. I too have noticed the diaper issue, the same packaging, the same price, the same formula (if you will), but you get less diapers. At Walmart they have the big box of Huggies for $18.51, at our local Sam's Club they have an even bigger box of Huggies, but the diapers turn out to be 2cents more/per diaper at Sam's. go figure.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
11 Jan 07
I have just rated you a + for this excellent post. I must say that I have noticed it too, and agree with what you are saying.
2 people like this
@rainbow (6761)
•
11 Jan 07
I have noticed this too, quite a lot recently.
It is also happening with the special offers, for yoghurt etc, the special offer often works out more expensive per item. My Fairy washing powder has been cheaper in 2 small boxs for over a year.
I do not have a huge amount of storage space but do try to lessen the effects on the environment by bulk buying.
I also like taking advantage of special offers on things that we would buy any way.
I do a lot of my shopping through Tesco online and a lot of items are priced so you can see which is the best value and if not there's always a calculator which I would never think to take into a shop.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
11 Jan 07
I have always tried to compare apples to apples - usage in each package. True, we were brought up to think that buying more is cost-effective, but any more it might not be. I also think it's sad when an item that is on sale still costs more than another brand that is just the same quality.
2 people like this
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
11 Jan 07
That is truly sad. I knew that companies would jump on any bandwagon that they could to try to get more money out of us, but you're right.. this practice is truly not good for the environment, as well.
Thanks for the heads up! I will definitely remember that bigger is no longer _alwways_ better when it comes to buying goods! *laugh* Gosh..
@missybal (4490)
• United States
18 Jan 07
I am also careful about that but one thing I have found is that the items that I buy that are not brand name are more cost effective in bulk. At least not where I shop. I have had to tell my husband many times how to reconize the better deal. However everything seems to have you still guessing if it possibly is a better deal. It is sad how the environment suffers but also these companies must not be expecting the customers to figure this out because if too many people do then they are lossing money with the cost of packaging.
1 person likes this
@rracers89 (3246)
• United States
12 Jan 07
Yes i just noticed this to and i am trying to remember what it was i was buying, I think it was paper towells the single rolls were on sale and then they had the big pack of 3 rolls in one package. it was cheaper for me to buy 3 single rolls then the one package of 3. I have a 2 year old so i know hoe you feel about the diapers also
1 person likes this
@jajatisalgoe (646)
• Belgium
12 Jan 07
Offcourse that's the economics, they wanna tell us that the big packages are less expensive, no way they are, they look like they are, but i don't get the point you are saying is "the zimploc bags (2) versus the one package", so then it's ok that double packaging must be recycled cause it is less then the 2 together
1 person likes this
@bamshetty86 (35)
• India
12 Jan 07
when people are out shopping they should calculate price per each unit and then compare the small and the larger packets so see if its cost effective or not, buying blindly is a waste of hard earned money.
1 person likes this
@butterflygirl (498)
•
17 Jan 07
Yes i've noticed a similar trend. You also have to be quite careful with multi-packs, for example, multi-packs of a well known brand of crisps seem cheaper to buy than individual packets, but the packets inside the multi-pack actually contain less crisps than the individual packs.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I buy stuff in bulk and buy baggies to separate it. It is just me and my husband in our home but I still by the family pack sizes so it would be cheaper but yes I have noticed the prices going up on things like you and all the retailers are in for is a fast buck and if people buy the bigger stuff then they will raise the bigger larger stuff. Plus more families are getting larger and larger now days and a person who doesn't have to to do the guess work just grabs and goes without really thinking about it not knowing it is costing more. But maybe with your post alot more people will start being more consious of the way they buy things.
1 person likes this
@wvchell78 (564)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I always look at the unit price and have also noticed several things that are higher price per unit in larger packages. I think the stores count on everyone going with the notion that buying in bulk is cheaper but that is not always the case. When I shop at Sam's Club there are certain items that I will not buy because they are higher there.
@melody1011 (1663)
• India
12 Jan 07
I feel it is very important to check the bulk prices versus the normal ones as some times there might be just a few cents of difference and just not worth the additional headache of storing large amounts. Thats what I always do. I take time to calculate the difference in prices and only then make a decision to buy in bulk or small quantities
1 person likes this
@karimulla_ou (161)
• India
12 Jan 07
every company want to attract customers in some way, this company approached this way, but it will not continue this offer for a long time as holiday season is over in US, no one wants to take extra cost to their shipments, so they will remove this offer soon
1 person likes this
@maru_047in (1007)
• India
12 Jan 07
I think so ur right and this is in front of us before it used to b if u buy larger in size the lesser is the amount i dont tell that all r like that but in few cases if u buy smaller it is more effective than larer sized items
